Gender Equality

What is Gender Equality?

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When men and woman enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and the favored.

Who does it affect?

Gender inequality, the human rights issue at hand, has long been popularized as something men created that has become more problematic for women. The truth is, inequalities exist between women and men. The inequalities that women face are detrimental to their status in society, whereas, men deal with inequalities in forms of expression that could detract from their manliness. In other words, men must be masculine and not express actions that are identified with femininity. It is of great importance that men accept gender inequality as not only a female issue but a human rights issue in order for change to prevail.

Why is gender inequality a major issue?

"Gender inequality holds back the growth of individuals, the development of countries and the evolution of societies, to the disadvantage of both men and women," claims the State of World Population Report 2000.

The report makes the case for bringing gender inequality "fully into the light" and treating it as a matter of urgency as it affects both human rights and development priorities. The report explain today "gender issues" are not the same as "women's issues" and that "understanding gender means understanding opportunities, constraints and the impact of change as they affect both women and men."

How can we reach gender equality?

Through broadcast media such as TV, film, music, and radio we can spread awareness of gender inequalities and promote ways to get involved. It is vital that these outlets are used, being that people of all ages and backgrounds will spend a significant amount of their life being exposed and influenced by what they see or hear from these mediums. Through research, I have highlighted the use of tv, music, and film and specific examples of their impact on gender equality.

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